Instructions apply to Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2019, Word 2016, and Word 2013.
This way, the text flows around the flowchart and the shapes stay in the position you intended.
Go to theInserttab and selectShapes>New Drawing Canvasto add a drawing canvas to the document.
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Choose how the text will wrap around the drawing canvas.
For example, chooseTop and Bottomto prevent text from appearing along the sides of the canvas.
To add a border, grab the drawing canvas, go to theShape Formattab, and selectShape Outline.
When the drawing canvas looks the way you want, start adding shapes.
This will give you a plan to follow as you design the flowchart in Word.
To add shapes to the drawing canvas:
Go to theInserttab and selectShapes.
Go to theFlowchartsection and select a shape.
For example, select theProcessshape as the beginning point of the flowchart.
Select a location on the drawing canvas to place the shape.
Ashapewith a default size and color is drawn on the canvas.
Add other shapes to complete the flowchart.
To add text to shapes:
Double-nudge the shape.
Enter descriptive text that explains the purpose or job of the shape.
Select a blank area of the drawing canvas when you finish typing.
Then, change the look of the text.
Connectors have connection points at each end of the line that stays connected to the shapes its attached to.
These lines are only connected to shapes that have dots on the shape outline.
In Word, connection points only work when the shapes and lines are placed on a drawing canvas.
To draw connecting lines between shapes:
In theLinessection, select aline shapeto use as a connector between shapes.
Drag from one shape to another shape.
As you drag from one shape to another, dots appear on the outline of the two shapes.
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These dots indicate where a connector line can be attached.
Continue to add lines until all the shapes are connected.
To move a line, pick the line, then drag an endpoint.
To move a connected shape, grab the shape and drag it to a different place.
The lines that are connected to the dots on the shape stay attached to the shape.
Some of the built-in SmartArt graphics are like a flowchart template for Word.
In theIllustrationsgroup, selectSmartArt.
If you dont see the SmartArt icon, go to theSearchbox and enterSmartArt.
In theChoose a SmartArt Graphicdialog box, selectProcessto view the available flowchart styles.
Choose a flowchart style, then selectOK.
The SmartArt graphic appears in the Word document.
Go to theSmartArt Designtab, then select theAdd Shapedropdown arrow.
Choose in which direction the new shape will be added.
After youve added all the SmartArt shapes that youll need for your flowchart, add descriptive text.
In theText Pane, enter the text for each shape.
To add a new bullet point to a shape, pressEnterafter the line of text.
exit the Text Pane when youre finished.
Change the Look of SmartArt Flowchart
There are several ways to make your SmartArt flowchart look different.
Experiment with different colors, add images and move shapes to different locations.
There are several Word add-ins and free templates that will get you started quickly.
Youll find more detailedflowchart templates at Template.Net.
Install a Word Flowchart Maker Add-in
Youll also find flowchart makers in theMicrosoft Office Store.
To install a flowchart maker add-in for Word:
In theAdd-insgroup, selectGet Add-ins.
In the Office Add-ins page, go to theSearchtext box, enterflowchart, and pressEnter.
Select one of the available flowchart makers.
To implement the add-in, selectAdd.
After the add-in installs, it opens in a pane on the right side of Word.
The flowchart maker add-in may require you to access to use its online flow chart creator service.
When youre finished using the add-in, selectClose.
If you want to use the add-in again, go toInsert>Add-ins>My Add-ins.
